circumstances in the life of our painter. I have been assured by a person worthy of the highest credit, and not unacquainted with the art, that in the palace of the Marquis Antaldi of Pesaro there exists the portrait of a Duke of Urbino by the hand of Francesco Vecelli, who wrote his name on the back: this was a very fine portrait, of the size of life, and in excellent preservation. He is dressed in black, with a cravat in the Spanish fashion; in his hand he holds the staff of Gonfalonier of Holy Church, and from his neck hangs an order attached to a chain of gold. Had he done the portrait of Francesco Maria before Titian? Or did he copy that done by his brother?

But in 1532 Francesco was already settled in Cadore. never saw this portrait, and do not venture to advance any conjecture.

I

Here ends the professional career of Francesco, who appears not to have relinquished the art altogether, till he applied himself wholly to trade; but Gregory, his father, being dead, to whom, from his great integrity and prudence, the management of public affairs had been entrusted, Francesco was not insensible to the honour of the charge which his fellow-citizens hastened to offer him; and rising by degrees from one thing to another to the principal

situation of the province, he found himself so occupied with the administration of public business that he was obliged to give up painting entirely.

There are no records by which we can learn whether he was married, had children, or lived single. There are, it is true, two letters from Peter Aretin to Giovanni Vecelli, nephew of Titian, and born in the happy land which produced that great man, but this might be the son of some sister of his, of whom no account remains; or of some other near relation, who according to the custom of the time was called nephew; as Mark Vecelli, son of Titian's first cousin, was called his nephew. I am inclined to think that he lived single, from this consideration, that in the funeral oration, which makes honourable mention of his generous hospitality towards strangers and his friends, of his social converse, of his liberality towards the poor, there is not a word about either wife or children; a very remarkable omission if he had had any.

The trade in timber which he carried on, and the affairs of his country frequently led him to Venice; as love for his native place and the salubrity of the air brought Titian every year to Cadore. This gave them an oppor

tunity of being often together: so that as they had common kindred and property, so also their friends were in common; whence Sansovino, Aretin, and Marcolino, with all the other intimates of Titian, were also those of Francesco.

Beloved by all, and held in the highest esteem for his public and private virtues, Francesco happy and healthy attained an advanced old age. It is not known absolutely when he died, but certainly not before 1559, in which year he was syndic of the general Council of Cadore; nor after 1560; since in the catalogue of the councillors of the following year, his name is not registered as before.

The great benefits he had conferred on the province, the great quantity of money he had given to the poor, his integrity, his great experience in public affairs, the sweetness of his disposition, the amenity of his conversation, rendered him dear to every body and accounted their common father; and as such he received after his death from his grateful country the honours of a public funeral, and the truest testimony to the virtue of his life, the tears of all his fellow-citizens.

Francesco was in person very well made, and handsome in features; and in his old age

so dignified and venerable as to conciliate universal admiration. With the singular qualities of his person the gifts of his mind well accorded: for he possessed the greatest integrity, singular prudence, excellent judgment, and a good memory. Grave and dignified in public meetings, he used to season his private conversation with atticisms and agreeable jests: and both in public and private he always showed himself open and sincere. Liberal and splendid without ostentation he did no injury to any one himself, and soon forgot those of others. A brave soldier, a fine painter, a respected merchant, an excellent magistrate, he was an advantage and honour to his Prince, to his family, and to his countrymen.

CHAPTER THE LAST.

ACCOUNT OF HORATIO, THE YOUNGEST SON OF

TITIAN.

THOSE have indeed reason to grieve, who having received from nature the requisites for becoming great men, are compelled to wrestle with poverty, which deprives them of, or renders very difficult to be obtained, the means of instruction; and on the other hand most blameable is the conduct of others who, possessed of genius, good health, fortune, and opportunity, allow themselves often when they have nearly arrived at the goal, to be led astray by the allurements of pleasure and ease. Of this last number was Horatio Vecelli, who, however good a painter he really was, might have become much greater, if his father's wealth